K-pop sickfics/hurtfics

Seonghwa Ateez - Hypoxia

1000 words.

The practice room hummed with music as ATEEZ rehearsed their choreography. Each move was sharp, each beat followed with precision, but Seonghwa's mind was elsewhere. A tightness had started to build in his chest, faint at first but growing more insistent with each passing second.

He recognized the signs immediately. His asthma was acting up, and it was only getting worse.

"Just finish the song", Seonghwa thought, gritting his teeth. The last thing he wanted was to disrupt practice. His movements stayed controlled, though he could feel the strain in every step. His chest felt like it was bound with steel bands, and each breath came shorter, more labored.

Finally, the song ended. Seonghwa doubled over, hands braced on his knees as he gasped for air. The burning in his lungs was almost unbearable.

"Good work, everyone!" Hongjoong said, clapping his hands. "Let's run it again."

Seonghwa straightened, his chest rising and falling rapidly as he forced out, "Wait... I need... my inhaler." His voice was strained, barely above a whisper. He staggered toward his bag in the corner.

The members exchanged worried glances but didn't interfere, knowing Seonghwa liked to handle things himself. Still, their eyes followed his every movement.

Seonghwa grabbed his inhaler, lifting it to his lips and pressing down. Nothing. His heart sank as he tried again. Still nothing.

"No..." he breathed, panic creeping into his voice. He fumbled through his bag, searching for his spare, but then he remembered, it was in Hongjoong's studio on the second floor.

"My inhaler's empty," he said, his voice shaking. "The spare... it's... in the studio."

Yunho didn't wait for more. "I'll go!" he said, bolting for the door.

"I'm coming with you!" Yeosang added, right on his heels.

The remaining members crowded around Seonghwa, their worry mounting as his condition visibly worsened. His breaths were coming in quick, shallow gasps now, and his hands were trembling.

"Seonghwa, sit down," San said, gently guiding him to a chair.

"Just... need... to breathe," Seonghwa wheezed, clutching at his chest.

"It's okay, hyung," Wooyoung said, crouching in front of him. His voice was calm, but his wide eyes betrayed his fear. "Just take it slow. We're here. Yunho and Yeosang will be back any second."

But Seonghwa's panic was building. His chest heaved as he struggled for air, a loud, whistling wheeze accompanying every breath. He clutched the chair's armrest, his knuckles white.

"I... can't..." Seonghwa managed to rasp, his voice barely audible.

"Hyung, look at me," Mingi said, his voice tight with worry. "You're okay. Just keep trying. Stay with us."

"I'm calling 119," their manager said, pulling out his phone.

"Good," San said quickly. "Tell them it's serious...his breathing's getting worse."

Seonghwa's condition spiraled. His breathing grew more ragged, punctuated by harsh, dry coughs. His shoulders hunched, his entire body straining for air. The room felt too small, too hot, his vision starting to blur around the edges.

"I... I can't..." Seonghwa gasped, tears streaming down his face as his body betrayed him.

"You're okay, hyung!" Wooyoung's voice cracked. He reached out, gripping Seonghwa's trembling hand. "Stay with us! Just hold on!"

The members' panic was palpable now. Hongjoong knelt beside Seonghwa, speaking softly despite the terror in his eyes. "It's going to be okay. Help is on the way. Just hold on a little longer."

But Seonghwa's lips had started to turn bluish, a frightening sign that his oxygen levels were dangerously low. His chest hitched, and his eyes fluttered.

"Hyung!" San yelled as Seonghwa slumped forward, unconscious.

"He fainted!" the manager said into the phone, his voice shaking.

"Lay him flat on his back!" the emergency operator instructed. "Start chest compressions immediately!"

Hongjoong and the manager moved into action, following the operator's instructions as the other members hovered anxiously, their fear spilling over.

"Hyung, please wake up!" Wooyoung sobbed, clutching Seonghwa's limp hand.

"We need to do something!" Mingi said, pacing frantically.

"We are!" Hongjoong snapped, his voice tight with strain as he pressed down on Seonghwa's chest, counting aloud.

The door burst open, and Yunho and Yeosang ran in, Yunho clutching the spare inhaler. They froze at the sight of Seonghwa unconscious on the floor, Hongjoong performing chest compressions while the others crowded around, their faces pale with panic.

"What happened?!" Yeosang shouted, rushing to Seonghwa's side.

"He fainted," the manager said tersely. "The ambulance is almost here."

Yunho dropped to his knees, the inhaler trembling in his hand. "We... we have it now. Will it help?"

"Wait for the paramedics," the operator instructed over the phone.

Moments later, the paramedics arrived, their presence bringing a sense of relief to the chaotic room. They quickly took over, administering oxygen and medication to stabilize Seonghwa. After a tense few minutes, they prepared to transport him to the hospital.

"We'll take good care of him. You can follow us to the hospital," one of the paramedics said firmly.

None of the members were allowed to ride in the ambulance, leaving them to watch helplessly as Seonghwa was taken away. The silence in the practice room was deafening.

The ride to the hospital was tense, the manager driving as fast as he could without breaking the law. In the back seat, the members sat in stunned silence, their worry etched on their faces.

"Hyung's going to be okay," Yunho said, though his voice trembled.

"He has to be," Wooyoung whispered, staring out the window.

When they arrived at the hospital, they were directed to a waiting room. Hours felt like days as they waited for news, each member replaying the terrifying moments in their minds.

Finally, a doctor appeared.

"He's stable now," the doctor said. "The asthma attack caused severe hypoxia, which led to his fainting. We've given him oxygen and medication to open his airways. He'll need to rest, but he's out of immediate danger."

The members let out a collective sigh of relief, some of them wiping away tears.

"Can we see him?" Hongjoong asked.

"One at a time," the doctor said.

When Hongjoong entered Seonghwa's room, he found his friend lying in the hospital bed, pale but awake. Seonghwa managed a weak smile.

"Hey," Seonghwa rasped.

"Hey," Hongjoong said, sitting beside him. "You scared the hell out of us, you know that?"

Seonghwa gave a faint chuckle. "Sorry..."

"Don't apologize. Just focus on getting better," Hongjoong said, his voice soft but firm.

As the other members took turns visiting, the weight of their relief was palpable. They had been through one of the scariest moments of their lives, but seeing Seonghwa awake and breathing made it all worth it.

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